The state House Finance Committee on Wednesday moved a bill that would end the income tax increases approved to help balance the state budget a few years ago sooner than scheduled. The higher tax rates would end at the close of 2014, instead of 2015.

But Rep. Sylvia Luke, the committee's chairwoman, also inserted tax relief for middle-class taxpayers, a suggestion House Speaker Joseph Souki had made during his opening day speech in January.

Luke said she inserted the language for "vehicle purposes only" so lawmakers would have a bill if tax relief becomes a priority later in the session.